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The RCP now plans to hold a competition for architects to design its new home.

The College’s London building was opened in 1964 and is today Grade I listed as one of the UK’s finest examples of modernist architecture. The college wants to ensure that its Liverpool base follows in its footsteps.

Its chief executive Dr Ian Bullock told the ECHO: “What we want is something iconic, something that has sustainability written right through it, and something that will add to the city and will be a draw for visitors within the Knowledge Quarter.”

And Colin Sinclair, chief executive of the Knowledge Quarter, said: “They want to make an architectural statement.”

The Liverpool building could also house exhibitions from the RCP’s historic collections. The walls of its London home are lined with portraits and the building houses regular exhibitions.

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Dr Bullock said: “We’ll be taking some of our heritage on the road to add to the established heritage in Liverpool.

“What we do here (in London) we will try and replicate in Liverpool because this is really about emphasising the importance of a regional presence in the North and rebalancing what has been a historic perhaps criticism of the college about it being London-centric.”

The RCP was founded in 1518 by a Royal Charter from King Henry VIII to regulate the medical profession. Today its work includes offering medical examinations, training and research.

Liverpool beat “strong offerings” from other Northern cities to win the RCP’s investment. Dr Bullock said the college had been impressed by the way Liverpool’s universities, hospitals and council officials had worked together to woo it.

He said: “When you brought all of the Liverpool bid together we saw the sense of real commitment and partnership to the RCP and the recognition of their appreciation of our brand and what we could add to the city.

“And we just felt so warmly welcomed by the bidding team that it was very persuasive.”

The RCP’s London HQ next to Regent’s Park was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun, who designed the University of Liverpool ’s sports centre in 1963.